Hi all,

I work in the public health field and I’m currently helping develop a poster aimed at improving sexual health access amongst the global majority communities in our local area.

I’m struggling to get an accurate translation for one specific phrase on the Konkani poster. The wording we need translated is essentially:

“Testing for sexually transmitted infections”

However, whenever we use translation applications, the translation keeps coming back closer to “sexually transmitted tests”, rather than referring to the process of being tested for infections/STIs themselves.

I was wondering whether there is a more natural or medically accurate way to phrase this in Konkani, or whether there is a specific wording commonly used by Konkani speakers for STI testing/sexual health screening.

Apologies if this falls a bit outside the usual posts here, but any help would genuinely be appreciated as it would help improve accessibility and reduce health inequalities for Konkani speakers within the community we serve.

Thank you in advance.

Hello! 👋🏻
I’m Italian and I majored in Translation Studies. One of my main languages is Portuguese, so I’ve always known about Goa and its history, however more recently I’ve been wanting to learn Konkani to get to know more about Goa. What would your suggestions be? Textbooks? Talking to people? I’ve tried that on apps like Tandem but there are virtually no Konkani speakers on there (native speakers at least). Also, I’m aware there are many dialects and I think I want to learn the one spoken in Goa, if that makes sense. Are the dialects really that different from each other? I’m new to this, sorry for any confusion!
Please, leave your suggestions 🙏🏻 I’m grateful for any feedback.

Kazar jata! Few things bring a Konkani family together quite like a wedding. The food, the music, the rituals, the relatives you only see at weddings and the language that ties it all together. Here's your complete Konkani wedding vocabulary.

General Wedding Terms

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Marriage	Kazar	काज़ार
Bride	Vokol bai	वोकोल
Groom	Voret Rai	वोरेट
Wedding ceremony	Kazarachi vidhi	काज़ार विधी
Engagement	Muddi	सकाय / नोइवादो
Wedding invitation	Kazar apovanem	काज़ार आपोवणें
Wedding hall	Kazar ghor	काज़ार घर
Wedding feast	Kazar jevan	काज़ार जेवण
Wedding gift	Kazar bhett	काज़ार भेट
Anniversary	Lagna jivitvarsacho	लगना जीविटवरसाचो दिस
Dowry	Doth	दोथ
Bride's family	Novrechi kutom	नोवरेची कुटम
Groom's family	Navryache kutom	नवरेचो कुटम

Catholic Konkani Wedding Rituals

Ritual	Romi Konkani	Meaning
Wedding Mass	Kazarachi Missa	Church ceremony
Exchange of vows	Vachan diunche	Promises made before God
Exchange of rings	Muddi ghalche	Rings placed on fingers
Signing the register	Register soi korche	Legal signing
Wedding reception	Kazar fest	Celebration after church
First dance	Jodyanche nach	Bride and groom's first dance
Throwing bouquet	Phullancheo gucch uddovche	Bride throws bouquet
Blessing of couple	Jodyek aashirvad	Elders bless the couple

Hindu Konkani Wedding Rituals

Ritual	Mangalorean Konkani	Meaning
Engagement	Sakai	Formal engagement ceremony
Haldi ceremony	Halad	Turmeric applied to bride and groom
Mehendi	Mehendi	Henna ceremony
Saptapadi	Saat paavlam	Seven steps around sacred fire
Sacred fire	Pavitro agni	Central element of Hindu wedding
Tying the knot	Gaant ghalche	Symbolic tying together
Mangalsutra	Mangalsutra	Sacred necklace tied by groom
Sindoor	Sindoor	Vermillion applied by groom
Aashirvad	Aashirvad	Blessing from elders
Vidaai	Nirop	Bride's farewell from family home

Wedding Celebrations & Music

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Music	Sangeet	संगीत
Dance	Nach	नाच
Drum	Dhol	ढोल
Band	Band	बँड
Song	Geet	गीत
Baila music	Baila	बायला
Folk dance	Lok nach	लोक नाच
Let's dance	Nachuyat	नाचुयात
The music is great	Sangeet mast assa	संगीत मस्त आसा

Wedding Food (Kazar Jevan)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Wedding feast	Kazar jevan	कजार जेवण
Rice	Sheit	शीट
Fish curry	Nuste kodi	नुस्तें कोडी
Chicken curry	Kori kodi	कोरी कोडी
Sweet	Mittai / Doce	मिठाय / दोस
Wedding cake	Kazar bol	कजार बोल
Sweet rice	God bhaat	गोड भात
Payasam	Payasam	पायसम
Kokum drink	Sol kadhi	सोल कढी
Coconut sweet	Naarlyacho god	नारळ्याचो गोड

Compliments & Wishes

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Best wishes	Borem magta	शीट मागता
May you be happy always	Tum sadanch khushi asaat	तुम सदांच खुशी आसात
God bless you both	Devaan tumkam dogan aashirvad dium	देवान तुमकां दोगांय आशीर्वाद दीव
You look beautiful	Tum sobit distai	तुम सोभित दिसताय
The wedding is lovely	Kazar mast sundor assa	कजार मस्त सुंदर आसा
When is the wedding?	Kazar kedala assa?	कजार केदाला आसा?
Where is the wedding?	Kazar khay assa?	कजार खय आसा?
I am so happy for you	Tujhe khatir hanv mast khushi assa	तुझे खातीर हांव मस्त खुशी आसा
They make a great couple	Te mast bori jodi aasat	ते मस्त बरी जोडी आसात

What Relatives Say At Every Konkani Wedding

What They Say	Translation	What They Really Mean
Tum kedhna kortai?	When are you doing yours?	Directed at every single person present
Jevan borem assa?	Is the food good?	The only real metric of a successful wedding
Koslench ugdas naa	I don't remember anything	Said after the third helping of fish curry
Dev borem korum tumkam	God bless you both	Said at every departure, every photo, every moment
Mast sobit jode	What a beautiful couple	Said regardless of what the couple looks like
Kitlo lok ailo?	How many people came?	The competitive aunty headcount
Tuka kedhnaa bhaair dittele? OR Tuvem shodlai gi kuni?	When will they find someone for you?	Run. Just run.

Kazar jata! What's the one thing that's always said at every Konkani wedding in your family? Drop it below, the more specific the better 👇

Kaam korunk zai ne saaaiba!!!! Whether you're on a call with family back home, working in a Konkani-speaking office, or just want to complain about your boss in a language nobody else understands..... here's your professional vocabulary.

The Office (Kaacheri)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Work	Kaam	काम
Job	Dhandho	धंदो
Salary	Pagar	पगार
Boss	Saheb / Boss	साहेब / बॉस
Document	Kagad	कागद
Signature	Soi	सोय
Leave / Day off	Sutti	सुट्टी

At a Meeting (Meetingant)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
The meeting starts now	Meeting atta suruu zata	मीटिंग आतां सुरू जाता
Please be on time	Daaya karun vel paaLon ye	दया करून वेळ पाळून ये
Any questions?	Khanyacheya sawaalaan asath gi?	खंयचेय सवालां आसात गी?
I agree	Hanv maanta	हांव मान्ता
I disagree	Hanv maanaina	हांव मान्ैना
Let me explain	Hanv samjaaytha	हांव समजायता
Can you repeat that?	Ani ek paati sang	आनी एक पाती सांग
I don't understand	Makka samjona	माका समजोना
That is a good idea	Tem borem vichar assa	तें बरें विचार आसा
Let's decide together	Amhi ekthaim nirnoy ghevuya	आमी एकठाय निर्णय घेवुया
The meeting is over	Meeting zaali	मीटिंग झाली

Talking About Work

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
I am busy	Hanv busy assa	हांव बिझी आसा
I have a lot of work	Makka musst kaam assa	माका मुस्ट काम आसा
The work is done	Kaam jalam	काम जालां
The work is pending	Kaam baaki assa	काम बाकी आसा
I am working from home	Hanv ghoraan kaam korta	हांव घरां काम करता
I have a meeting	Makka meeting assa	माका मीटिंग आसा
I need help	Makka modot zai	माका मोदत जाय
Can you help me?	Tum makka modot kortai?	तुम माका मोदत करताय?
The deadline is tomorrow	Deadline faalyaa assa	डेडलाइन फाल्यां आसा
I finished early	Hanvem vegi karn dile	हावेन वेगि करन दिले
I need a day off	Makka ek dis sutti zai	माका एक दीस सुट्टी जाय

Working From Home (Ghoraan Kaam)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
I am on a call	Hanv call-ar assa	हांव कॉलार आसा
Please keep quiet	Daaya karun avaz kaadunk naka	दया करून आवाज काडुंक नका
My internet is slow	Mhojhem internet slow assa	माझें इंटरनेट slow आसा
The connection is bad	Connection borem naa	कनेक्शन बरें ना
I can't hear you	Makka tujho avaz yena	माका तुझो आवाज येना
Can you see my screen?	Mhojhem screen distaa?	माझें स्क्रीन दिसता?
I will send you the file	Hanv tuka file dhaaditam	हांव तुका फाईल धाडितां
Check your email	Tujhem email pole	तुझें ईमेल पोल

Complaining About Work (The Real Vocabulary)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Too much work	Musst kaam assa	मुस्ट काम आसा
My boss is difficult	Mhojho sir kathin assa	माझो sir कठीण आसा
I am exhausted	Hanv mast sustu jalo/jali	हांव मस्त सुस्तु जालो/जाली
I need a holiday	Makka sutti zai	माका सुट्टी जाय
This job is stressful	Hem kaam khateen assa	हें काम कठीण आसा
I hate Mondays	Makka Somaara aavadanaa	माका सोमारा आवडना
When is payday?	Pagar kedhna yeta?	पगार केधना येता?
I need a raise	Makka pagar vaaddonk zai	माका पगार वाडोंक जाय

Kiti kaam assa aaj? What does your Monday morning look like in Konkani? Drop it below 👇

If would like to explore Konkani food, you're missing one of India's most vibrant and distinct regional cuisines. Stretching along the western coast from the beaches of Goa through coastal Karnataka (Mangalore, Udupi) down to the Konkan belt of Maharashtra this cuisine is built on coconut, kokum, fresh seafood, and bold roasted spices. Let me break it all down by region. 🙏

🏖️ GOA

Goan food carries a heavy Portuguese colonial influence layered over indigenous Konkani traditions. Expect vinegar, pork, and multi-layered desserts alongside coconut fish curries.

Dish	Description
Fish Curry Rice	The daily staple. Kingfish or mackerel in a tangy kokum-coconut gravy. The "sol" (kokum) gives it that unmistakable Goan sour note.
Pork Sorpotel	A fiery, vinegary pork offal curry. Fermented and intensely spiced tastes even better the next day. A festive must.
Chicken/Pork Xacuti	Slow-cooked in a complex spice paste of roasted coconut, poppy seeds, and dried chilies. Deep, dark, and aromatic.
Goan Prawn Balchão	A spicy, pickled prawn dish cooked with vinegar and red chilli paste. Shelf-stable and explosively flavoured.
Bebinca	The queen of Goan desserts. A multi-layered coconut milk and egg pudding, each layer baked individually. 7 to 16 layers in a traditional preparation.
Sannas	Soft, lightly sweet steamed rice cakes leavened with toddy. The Goan answer to idli fluffier and more delicate.
Feni	Not a dish but a ritual. A Goan spirit distilled from cashew apple or coconut palm sap. Pungent, fierce, and iconic.

🌴 MANGALORE (Coastal Karnataka: Namma Tulu Nadu)

Mangalorean cooking is arguably the most coconut-forward of all Konkani sub-cuisines. The Tulu community uses freshly ground coconut masalas in almost everything, and the "sukka" (dry) and "gassi" (gravy) categories define the cuisine.

Dish	Description
Kori Rotti	Crispy, paper-thin rice wafers soaked in a fiery chicken curry. One of the most textural and satisfying dishes in all of India.
Bangda (Mackerel) Gassi	The Mangalorean fish curry coconut base, Byadgi chilli colour, tamarind sour. Eaten with rice or neer dosa.
Chicken Sukka	Dry-fried chicken tossed with freshly grated coconut and spices. "Sukka" = dry. A perfect counterpart to a gravy dish.
Neer Dosa	Gossamer-thin lacy rice crepes. No fermentation, no fuss. Soft enough to fold around anything curry, chutney, or sweetened coconut.
Pundi (Rice Dumplings)	Steamed rice flour dumplings served with coconut chutney or chicken sukka. A quiet, humble Tulu breakfast classic.
Patrode	Colocasia (taro) leaves smeared with a spiced rice-coconut paste, rolled up and steamed. Earthy, slightly sticky, utterly unique.
Kane (Lady Fish) Fry	Lady fish marinated in red chilli and turmeric, shallow-fried in coconut oil. Simple and perfect. A Mangalorean love language.
Mangalore Buns	Soft, slightly sweet deep-fried banana bread. A breakfast staple served with coconut chutney. Do not skip.

🕌 UDUPI (Coastal Karnataka)

Udupi is the heartland of Konkani Brahmin vegetarian cooking a tradition so refined it spawned a global restaurant format. No onion, no garlic in the traditional style, yet endlessly complex.

Dish	Description
Dalithoy	Toor dal tempered with mustard seeds, dried red chillies, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Thin, sharp, and deeply comforting. Every household has its own version.
Majjige Huli	A yogurt-based curry with ash gourd or cucumber. Cooling, mildly sour, and fragrant with coconut and cumin. The Udupi answer to kadhi.
Gojju	A thick sweet-sour-spicy relish made from tamarind, jaggery, and vegetables like raw tomato or bitter gourd. Complex in a single spoonful.
Udupi Sambar	Lighter and more coconut-forward than its Tamil cousin. Made with fresh coconut masala and a rotating cast of local vegetables.
Happala (Papad) & Sandige	Sun-dried rice crackers unique to the region. Deep-fried and eaten alongside rice and curries as a textural contrast.
Phanna Upkari	A stir-fry of seasonal vegetables with mustard, coconut, and dried red chilli. Quick, clean, and quietly brilliant.

🌾 KONKAN COAST: MAHARASHTRA (Malvan, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg)

The Maharashtrian Konkan belt is famous for the Malvani cuisine arguably the spiciest of all Konkani sub-styles, with a distinctive masala blend and a love for raw mango and kokum.

Dish	Description
Malvani Fish Curry	Made with Malvani masala (a 15-16 spice blend) and coconut milk. Bolder and spicier than the Goan or Mangalorean version.
Kombdi Vade	Spicy Malvani chicken curry served with fluffy, deep-fried vade (a puffed bread made from nachni/rice flour). The ultimate Konkan comfort meal.
Tisrya (Clams) Masala	Fresh clams cooked in a spiced coconut gravy. A Malvan coastal specialty that locals swear by.
Sol Kadhi	A pink, cooling digestif made from kokum and coconut milk with garlic and green chilli. Served after heavy seafood meals. Floral, sour, creamy, spicy all at once.
Ambade Ghashi	A tangy coconut curry made with ambado (hog plum). Fruity-sour and deeply aromatic. Rare outside Konkan homes.
Ukdiche Modak	Steamed rice flour dumplings filled with jaggery and coconut. Sacred to Ganesh Chaturthi and absolutely delicious year-round.
Kokum Saar	A thin, spiced kokum soup tempered with coconut oil. Drunk as a digestive. One of the most refreshing things you can have after a heavy meal.

🧡 The One Ingredient You Need to Know

>Kokum (Garcinia indica) a dark purple dried fruit native to the Western Ghats. It gives Konkani food its signature fruity tartness that tamarind simply cannot replicate. Used in curries, drinks, and digestifs across all Konkani sub-regions. If you haven't cooked with it yet, order some online. It will change your cooking.

🍽️ TL;DR: Best Dishes by Region

• Goa → Fish Curry Rice, Sorpotel, Bebinca, Xacuti
• Mangalore → Kori Rotti, Neer Dosa, Bangda Gassi, Chicken Sukka
• Udupi → Dalithoy, Majjige Huli, Gojju
• Malvan / Konkan Maharashtra → Kombdi Vade, Sol Kadhi, Kokum Saar, Malvani Fish Curry

Drop your favourite Konkani dish or hometown specialty in the comments! And if you've had a home-cooked Konkani meal, you know there's nothing quite like it. 🌊🥥🐟

Tags: #KonkaniFood #IndianFood #Goa #Mangalore #Udupi #Malvan #CoastalIndia #RegionalCuisine

Whether you're heading to Goa, Mangalore, Udupi or anywhere along the Konkan coast here's how to navigate like a local and speak like one too.

At the Airport (Vimaan Thaannyant)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Airport	Vimaan Thaann	विमान थान
Aeroplane	Vimaan	विमान
Ticket	Tikeet	तिकीट
Passport	Passport	पासपोर्ट
Boarding pass	Boarding pass	बोर्डिंग पास
Luggage	Samaan	सामान
Check in	Check in	चेक इन
Departure	Bhair vochon	भायर वेच्याक
Arrival	Yevounk	येवोंक
Flight	Vimaan pravas	विमान प्रवास
Gate	Daarvott	दारवोट
Customs	Customs	कस्टम्स
Immigration	Immigration	इमिग्रेशन
Baggage claim	Samaan kan'geonk	सामान खंगेओंक

At the Hotel (Hotelaant)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Hotel	Hotel	हॉटेल
Room	Khudd	खुद
Booking / Reservation	Booking	बुकिंग
Reception	Reception	रिसेप्शन
Key	Chaavi	चावी
Bed	Pallang	खाट
Bathroom	Nahni	नाहनी
AC / Fan	AC / Pankho	एसी / पंखो
Room service	Room service	रूम सर्व्हिस
Checkout	Checkout	चेकआउट
Bill	Bill	बिल
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	वाय-फाय
Lift / Elevator	Lift	लिफ्ट
Parking	Parking	पार्किंग

Getting Around (Bhom Maronk)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Where is...?	... khay assa?	... खय आसा?
How far is it?	Kitlo pois assa?	कितलो पोइस आसा?
How do I get to...?	[place] Kashe vochonk asa? OR [place] vochonk dayakarn vaat sangta gi?	[place] कशे वोचोन्क आसा? // [place] वोचोन्क दयाकरण वाट सांगता गी?
Turn right	Ujvyak ghoova	उजव्याक घुंवा
Turn left	Davyak ghoova	डाव्याक घुंवा
Go straight	Neet voch	नीट वोच
Stop here	Hanga raav	हांगा राव
How much is the fare?	Kitle poishe?	कितले पयसे?
Take me to...	Makka ... vochonk saaNG	माका ... वचोंक सांग
I am lost	Hanv vaat chuklo/chukli	हांव वाट चुकलो/चुकली
Is it nearby?	Lagim assa?	लागीं आसा?
Bus stand	Bus stand	बस स्टँड
Auto rickshaw	Auto	ऑटो
Taxi	Taxi	टॅक्सी
Train station	Rail thaann	रेल थान

At the Beach (Somudra Thaari)

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Beach	Somudra thaaar / Vaaळu	समुद्र थार / वाळू
Sea	Somudra	समुद्र
Waves	Laarar	लाराँर
Sand	Vaalu	वाळू
Boat	Nao	नाव
Swimming	Poivop	पोइवप
Dangerous	Bhio	भिओ
Be careful	Saambaalon raa	सांभाळोन राव

Tourist Phrases

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Where is the temple?	Mandir/Devul khay assa?	देवूळ खय आसा?
Where is the church?	Igorz khay assa?	इगोर्ज खय आसा?
What time does it open?	Kedala/Kednaa open zatalem?	केदनां open ज़ातालेम ?
How much is the entry?	Kitle poishe bhittar vochonk?	कितले पयसे भित्तर वचोंक?
Can I take a photo?	Hanv photo kaaddum?	हांव फोटो काडूं?
This is beautiful	Hem sobit assa	हें सोभित आसा
I am enjoying	Hanv mast khushi assa	हांव मस्त खुशी आसा
I want to buy this	Makka hem ghevonk zai	माका हें घेवोंक जाय
Where is the market?	Bazar khay assa?	बाजार खय आसा?
I need a guide	Makka guide zai	माका गाईड जाय
What is this place called?	Hea jaageak kitem mhunutat?	ह्या जाग्याक कितें म्हणतात?
I am from...	Hanv ... thavon assa	हांव ... थावन आसा

Eating Out While Travelling

English	Mangalorean Konkani	Devanagari
Where is a good restaurant?	Borem [lunch/breakfast/veg/non-veg] hotel khay assa?	बोरे [lunch/breakfast/veg/non-veg] होटल खई असा
What is the speciality here?	Hanga kitem special assa?	हांगा कितें special आसा?
Is the fish fresh?	Masli / Nuste fresh assa?	मसली / नुस्तें फ्रेश आसा?
I want local food	Makka local jevan zai	माका local जेवण जाय
No plastic please	Plastic naka daaya karun	प्लास्टिक नका दया करून
The view is amazing	Mast sobit assa view	मस्त सोभित आसा view

Dialect Note: Travel vocabulary in Mangalorean Konkani heavily reflects the Kannada influence of coastal Karnataka, you will notice -onk verb endings throughout and place-related terms that differ from Goan Konkani.

A Goan speaker heading to Mangalore will understand most of this but the rhythm and endings will feel noticeably different. The coast is the same the language carries its own geography.

Planning a trip to the Konkan coast?
Drop your destination below in Konkani, let's build a travel bucket list together 👇